Globe attachment for light fixtures



P. A. JONES 3,030,498

GLOBE ATTACI-WIENT FOR LIGHT FIXTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m VE/vrak PRESTON A. JONES I9 is April 17, 1962 Filed Dec. '7, 1959 April 17, 1962 P. A. JONES 3,030,498

GLOBE ATTACHMENT FOR LIGHT FIXTURES Filed Dec. 7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I7\ 33 36 2; 43 i-" i 41; i 49 48 [i 37 47 i i 1/ 2 s i "/////////////An I///////////4 26 1e 59 I 28 *ann,

42 I/ I3 I2 7 r V l6 9 /A/V/V7'0R PRESTON A. JONES EWqW United States Calif.

Filed Dee. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 857,688 7 Claims. (Cl. 240-128) The present invention relates to electrical lighting fixtures and more particularly to a fixture having advantageous provision for engaging and disengaging a bowl or globe which is mounted thereon.

In the design of electrical light fixtures, particularly the incandescent variety, it is a common practice to provide a generally translucent bowl or globe around the light bulb itself. The globe may serve several purposes, probably the most important of which is that of diffusing the light to lessen eye-strain. Other functions of the globe are to protect the more fragile light bulb and to improve the esthetic appearance of the fixture. To facilitate changing of the light bulb, and as an aid in cleaning or otherwise servicing the fixture, it is desirable that the attachment of the globe to the fixture be a readily disengageable one.

To best serve the foregoing purposes, it has been found preferable in most instances to form the globe of glass, or glass-like material. Owing to the brittleness of this material, and to the fact that the globe should be easily removable, specialized fastening means must be used to secure the globe to the fixture. The fastening means should not exert any severe localized stresses on the globe and should not require that screw-holes, threads, or other standard fastening provision be formed on the glass. For safety reasons, and to prevent breakage, the fastening should not require that a person support the globe with a single hand while attempting to disengage the fastening with the other hand. Neither of the operations can be performed efficiently, or safely, with a single hand.

The most common method of attaching the globes to the fixtures which has been heretofore employed makes use of a flange formed around the open end of the globe. The flange is entered in a metal rim formed on the fixture and three hand-screws are threaded through the rim and project under the flange thus preventing the globe from dropping. This structure does not entirely meet the requirements set forth above. The fastener makes it necessary that a flange be formed on the globe and the three hand-screws can produce points of stress concentration which may, if not carfully controlled, fracture the glass. Of particular significance is the fact that the structure requires that the globe be supported with one hand while the other is used to tighten or release the screws. As has been pointed out, these manipulations can be diflicult, time consuming, and possibly hazardous particularly since the operations must frequently be performed while standing on a ladder.

The present invention provides a more easily operated and more secure attachment with which the globe may be held by both hands during engagement or dis-engage ment. The invention does not require special fabrications on the globe and acts to distribute stress to the point where the possibility of fracturing the glass is virtually eliminated.

Specifically, the invention makes use of an annulus secured to the fixture through which the light bulb may extend and against which the open end of the globe is abutted, the globe being of a design in which the rim of the open end curves inwardly. A sleeve is threadably engaged on a post within the fixture and extends coaxially through the annulus, the outer end of the sleeve being flared so that opposed sections of the rim of the sleeve With the open end of the globe fitted over the flared outer end of the sleeve, and the globe abutted against the annulus as described, rotation of the threaded sleeve will cause the sleeve to retract into the fixture and clamp the rim of the globe against the annulus. To effect this rotation of the sleeve, and to distribute stress on the glass globe, a number of small resilient cushions are secured to the rim of the sleeve and are the elements which make contact with the rim of the globe. If the globe is held in contact with these cushions, such as will occur naturally if the fixture is mounted in a ceiling, turning of the globe will act to turn the sleeve and thus to tighten the globe in place. Turning of the globe in an opposite direction will act to extend the sleeve from the fixture and thus allow the globe to be removed.

As may be seen, the operations of attaching or detaching the globe are accomplished by grasping the globe with both hands and turning it in an appropriate direction. No special fabrication is required on the globe and the attachment is made in such a way that breakage of the glass at points of contact is virtually impossible.

It is thus an object of this invention to provide an electrical light fixture of the class having a globe in which attachment and removal of the globe may be more easily accomplished.

It is an object of this invention to provide a superior mode of attachment of a globe or bowl to a light fixture with which attachment or removal of the globe can be accomplished by rotating the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical light fixture having novel means for attaching a globe thereto which means requires no special fabrications on the globe.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for fastening a globe or bowl to a light fixture with which means no severe localized stresses are exerted on the globe whereby the possibility of breakage is minimized.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an electrical light fixture having a more secure provision for mounting a globe thereon and which permits the globe to be grasped with both hands while being attached or removed.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is an elevational section View of a lighting fixture shown installed in a ceiling.

FIGURE 2 is a section view of the fixture taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and further illustrating the structure thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view, partially in section, illustrating the method by which a globe is installed on the fixture or removed therefrom.

FIGURE 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and showing the means by which a globe is held on the fixture.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIGURES l and 2 thereof, there is shown a section of a typical ceiling wall 11 in which a circular opening 12 has been cut in order that a lighting fixture may be installed thereat. A rectangular base plate 13 is disposed against the upper surface of wall 11 and centered over opening 12, the plate having a central opening 14 of slightly less diameter than the wall opening 12 and which overlap the annulus.

I 13, tension springs is provided with a curved rim 16 projecting downwardly through the wall opening.

A rectangular housing 17 having an open lower face is disposed over base plate 13 and centered thereon, the housing being held in position by clips 18 formed on the base plate. To secure the housing 17 to the base plate .19 may be used, each such spring having a hook on each extremity which hooks engage slots 21 on the upper surface of the base plate and slots 22 in the lateral walls of the housing. It should be understood, however, that other fasteners, such as screws, rivets, or the like may be used if preferred. A junction box 23 is disposed to one side of the housing 17 in spaced apart relationship thereto, the junction box being secured to the housing by supports 24.

To provide a surface against which the rim of a globe may be abutted, and to close the marginal portions of the wall opening 12, an annulus 26 is disposed coaxially within the base plate opening 14. Annulus 26 has a short cylindrical upper portion 27 and flange 28 at the lower extremity which flange extends subjacently of the ceiling wall 11 around the opening 12 therein. The annulus 26 is attached to housing 17 by means of a second set of tension springs 29 which springs are provided with hooks at each end and which hooks engage in slots 31 in the annulus and slots 32 in the lateral wall of the housing. Owing to the described use of springs 29 for attaching the ing of flange 28 from base plate 13 may vary in accordance with the thickness of the particular ceiling 11 in which the unit is to be mounted and in every instance the flange will be held tight against the undersurface of the ceiling.

Considering now provision for mounting an incandescent light bulb in the fixture, a socket assembly 33 is secured to the underside of the upper wall of housing 17 at the center thereof. Such assembly 33 comprises a circular base 34 disposed directly against the housing, the base having an externally threaded downwardly extending cylinder 36 for purposes which will be hereinafter described. A standard ceramic light bulb socket 37 is secured to the underside of base 34 in coaxial relationship therewith, the base being provided with a pair of opposed radial bosses 38 which enter matching slots 39 in the base of the socket and a pair of screws 41 being transpierced through the upper wall of the socket to secure the socket to the base. The socket 37 is of the type which receives and retains a standard light bulb and it will be understood that suitable wiring will be provided for energizing the bulb, the manner of providing the same being well understood within the art.

Considering now means with which a globe or bowl is attached to the fixture, there is shown a downwardly flaring sleeve 42 mounted coaxially on cylinder 36. The smaller upper end of sleeve 42 is provided with an inwardly directed rim 43 against the undersurface of which rim an annular stilfener 44 is secured by screws 46. stiffener 44 has an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of cylinder 36 and threads are provided on the stiflener which engage those on the cylinder.

Owing to the threaded attachment of sleeve 42 to cylinder 3.6, the sleeve may be raised or lowered by rotation in an appropriate direction. To prevent the sleeve 42 from being inadvertently rotated completely on the cylinder 36, a disengageable stop 47 is provided, the stop being a leaf spring projecting downwardly from base 34, within cylinder '36, and terminating in a right angled lower section 48 which projects across the rim of the lower end of the cylinder and is again angled downwardly. A small blade member 49 projects downwardly from stiffener 44 in position to strike the angled lower section 48 of stop 47 when the sleeve 42 reaches the lower limit of travel; While the stop 47, in conjunction with blade normally acts to prevent the sleeve 42 from being annulus 26 to the housing, the 'spacrotated olf the cylinder, it is desirable that the sleeve be removable from the cylinder. This may be accomplished by bending the spring stop 47 towards socket 37 a sufficient distance that the blade 49 may clear the angled end of the stop.

The lower end of sleeve 42 flares outwardly to a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of annulus 26. A short cylindrical section 51 is formed at the lower end of the sleeve 42 and along opposite portions of the rim of section 51 a pair of partial flanges 52 are provided. Each of the flange portions 52 extends along substantially ninety degrees of arc of the cylindrical section 51 and each extends outwardly to points directly beneath the annulus 26.

TA pair of small resilient cushions 53 are secured on each of the flanges 52, one near each extremity of each flange. The cushions 53 are formed of rubber in this instance and each has a hemi-spherical upper portion 54 with a protuberant lower portion 56 of less diameter which lower portion extends through an aperture 57 in the flange.

Considering the method of installing and removing a globe, and with reference to FIGURE 3 in particular, the globe 58 may be of any desired general configuration but should be of the type having an opening 59 at the upper end, the margins 61 of which opening curve inwardly with respect to the body of the globe. The globe 58 should, in addition, have an opening 59 of slightly less diameter than the inside diameter of annulus 26. To install the globe, sleeve 42 is rotated to a position where flanges 52 are lowered a substantial distance from the undersurface of annulus 26. The globe 58 is then lifted onto the lower end of sleeve 42, by tilting the globe and inserting first one flange 52 therein and subsequently inserting the other flange therein, and is then rested on the cushions 53. The globe 58 may then be rotated, the friction between the rim of the globe and cushions 53 acting to turn the sleeve with the globe. Turning of the sleeve 42 acts to raise flanges 52, and thus the globe also, until the margin 61 of the globe is abutted'a'gainst the undersurface of annulus 26. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the upper margin 61 of the globe is then pressed between the cushions 53 on the underside and annulus 26 on the upper side and is securely held in place on the fixture.

, To remove the globe 58, the foregoing sequence of operations is reversed. Thus the globe 58 may be rotated to lower sleeve 42 and subsequently tilted and re moved from the sleeve.

While, for purposes of reference, the fixture has been herein described as mounted in a celing wall, it should be understood that the structure may equally well be mounted in sidewalls or in any other position. If the fixture is not in the described vertical position, however, it will be found necessary'to pull the globe 58 against the cushions 53 as the globe is turned for insertion or removal in order to insure that the sleeve 42 turns with the globe. The operation is easily accomplished and is virtually as'convenient as operation in the vertical position. t

It should be understood that variations in the described structure may be made. Cylinder 36, for example, may be made of greater diameter and be internally threaded so that sleeve 42 may be of a more cylindrical shape and may engage the interior of the cylinder. In some adaptions of the invention, the base 34 may be secured directly to a ceiling and housing 17 will not be required.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical illumination fixture, the combination comprising a base having provision for attachment to a wall and including a light bulb receiving socket on a first side, a threaded cylinder disposed on said first side of said base, an annular element secured to said base and spaced from said first side or" said base and from said cylinder and being coaxial with said cylinder, a light transmissive globe having a circular opening, the surface of said globe around the margin of said opening being curved towards the axis of said opening and disposed in abutment with said annular element, a sleeve having threads at a first end which threads engage said threaded cylinder, the second end of said sleeve extending through said annular element and being provided with laterally extending members which extend from the axis of said sleeve a distance exceeding the radius of said opening in said globe, and high friction resilient cushioning means disposed on said laterally extending members of said sleeve on the sides thereof which face said annular element and in frictional engagement with the interior surface of the globe bordering the opening thereof whereby rotation of said globe is frictionally imparted to said sleeve to move same into and out of clamping engagement with the globe.

2. An electrical illumination fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said laterally extending members at said second end of said sleeve comprise portions of a flange on the end of said sleeve which flange portions are confined to a pair of opposite sectors of said sleeve.

3. An electrical illumination fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said laterally extending members at said second end of said sleeve comprise two segments of a flange thereon which segments occupy two opposite quarter sectors of said sleeve and wherein said cushioning means comprise a plurality of cushioning elements disposed one adjacent each end of each of said flange segments and each of said cushioning elements has a hemispherical upper surface facing said annular element.

4. An electrical illumination fixture as described in claim 1 and comprising the further combination of a disengageable stop secured to said threaded cylinder positioned to limit travel of said sleeve along said threaded cylinder in the direction of said globe whereby said sleeve may not be inadvertently rotated off said sleeve.

5. In an electrical light fixture, the combination comprising a wall having an opening therein, a housing having an open face disposed against the opening in said wall, a base secured within said housing against the surface thereof opposite from said wall opening and having a socket for receiving a light bulb, an externally threaded cylinder disposed within said housing in coaxial relationship With said socket, an annular element disposed around said opening in the wall on the opposite side thereof from said housing and secured to said housing, a globe having an opening at one side, the margin of said opening in said globe being turned towards the axis of said opening and exteriorly abutted against said annular element, a sleeve member disposed coaxial ly with respect to said threaded cylinder and having an inwardly directed rim at a first end which rim is provided with threads engaging those of said cylinder whereby rotation of said sleeve moves said sleeve along said cylinder, said sleeve being flared outwardly in a direction away from said cylinder and having a second end extending through said annular element which second end is provided with radially projecting members at opposite points which members extend outward a distance exceeding the radius of said opening in said globe, and a plurality of resilient high friction cushions secured to radially projecting members of said sleeve on the sides thereof which face said annular element and interiorly engaging the margin of said opening in said globe whereby rotation of said globe is frictionally imparted to said sleeve to move same into and out of clamping engagement with the globe.

6. An electrical light fixture as described in claim 5 and wherein said annular element is secured to said housing by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tension springs each having a first end engaged with said annular element and a second end engaged with said housing whereby said annular element is held against said wall by spring tension.

7. In an electrical light fixture substantially as described in claim 5 the further combination of disengageable means for limiting said movement of said sleeve along said cylinder, said means comprising a leaf spring having a first end secured to said base within said cylinder and extending in a direction parallel to the axis thereof, said leaf spring having an angled section at the second end which angled section extends laterally across the rim of said cylinder, and a blade secured to said inwardly directed rim at said first end of said sleeve which blade projects therefrom in parallel relationship to said cylinder and in position to intercept said angled section of said leaf spring at the limit of movement of said sleeve along said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,192,722 Wright July 25, 1916 1,902,023 Gallagher Mar. 21, 1933 1,939,260 Guth Dec. 1 1933 2,6 9,368 Pryne May 19, 1953 

